URI Bay campus 2025

This site on the URI Bay Campus has a nice gravel and sand beach very suitable for launching sea kayaks. The parking lot next to the beach is not very big but there is more parking just up the hill. Once on the water you are on the open waters of the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, so wind, waves and boat traffic should be expected. Heading south from this site you can paddle by 50 foot cliffs on the way to Bonnet Shores. Heading north takes you past Plum Beach and towards the Jamestown Bridge. Experienced paddlers can head east across the West Passage to Dutch Island (a 1 mile crossing) and Fort Getty Park.
This is a tidal water paddle so you need to pay attention to the tide and tidal currents. It can be very hard work to paddle against the tide. This is a paddle for experienced kayakers, less experienced paddlers should avoid this area, wind and waves can be a potentially serious issue for paddlers. Watch the forecast and watch the weather once you are on the water.
Requirements to attend this paddle
• arrive 1/2 hour prior to posted launch time
• light
• whistle
• 14 foot kayak or longer recommended
• Coast Guard approved PFD (inflatable PFDs are not allowed)
• spray skirt
• bilge pump
• appropriate clothing for the water temperature
• Event start time is in your boat, in the water, and ready to paddle! You will need to transport your boat a few hundred feet, from the parking lot to the beach to launch.
Suggested
We strongly recommend that you bring along the following:
• drinking water
• food
• sunscreen
• a change of dry clothes in a dry bag
• familiarize yourself with the area prior to paddling
• check weather conditions for wind speed direction and tides
Any paddle sport is an assumed risk sport. Some aspects of canoeing and kayaking involve the risk of serious injury or death. Southern New England Paddlers (SNEP) although safety conscious, cannot guarantee your personal safety in our Meetup activities.